That was the description offered Wednesday by both Crown and defence lawyers in recommending a conditional discharge for an 18-year-old North Sydney man who pleaded guilty to being an accessory after the fact to an assault with a weapon (bear spray).

Connor Gillis, formerly of Young Avenue, was one of four people charged in connection with the Dec. 7, 2013, assault inside a North Sydney home.

Prosecutor Shane Russell told the court that Gillis and some friends were drinking at his place when it was decided to leave the residence in search of cocaine. Gillis offered to drive.

The group found a source and gave him $40 to purchase the drug but the man took off with their money which lead them to search for him.

Gillis and the others drove to a home where they thought their source would be and were told he was not present.

The group left but returned to the same home on Stanley Street a short time later still hoping to score some cocaine. Gillis waited in the car while the others went inside.

A confrontation erupted inside the home and two of the men with Gillis released bear spray which sent five people, including a 10-year-old and an 18-month-old to hospital for treatment.

Gillis drove his friends from the scene which resulted in the charge against him.

Russell noted that Gillis had no prior record and his pre-sentence reported indicated he was a good kid but who made bad friends.

Defence lawyer TJ McKeough agreed that his client fell in with the wrong crowd and that he had no prior knowledge his friends were armed with bear spray.

He said the four days Gillis spent on remand gave him a clear picture of what life would be like if he continued to hang around with the same friends.

He has since relocated to a community on the mainland.

In placing Gillis on probation for one year, provincial court Judge David Ryan reminded him that when he hangs around with losers, he's likely to become a loser himself.

Among the conditions of his probation, Gillis is to refrain from alcohol and all drugs not prescribed to him by a physician. He is also to complete 75 hours of community service.

If Gillis records no violations during his probation, the discharge will be made absolute meaning he will not record a criminal record.